The Blindness of Saint Paul

Manchester, P. Thomas

doi:10.1001/archopht.1972.01000030318019

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Bullock and other authors have proposed that a lightning strike in the moment when Paul was struck blind could be the beginning of some ophthalmologic problems and the σκόλοψ (Bullock 1994). This would explain why Paul seems not to see the high priest during his trial before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23, 5) and other expressions in galatians: "if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me" (Gal 4:15), and the "large letters" at the end of the letter (πηλίκοις γράμμασιν; Gal 6:11) (Manchester 1972). In spite of this, an ophthalmologic disease is hard to reconcile with Paul's intended healing after his conversion.…”

Section: Differential Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Saint Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: a Dermatological Weakness?

Macaya

Lamarca

Piquero-Casals³

2022

SetF

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Saint Paul's "thorn in the flesh" has been the subject of much controversy in medical, historical and religious literature. It was crucial for the development of Paul's theology and, therefore, its study is important for a better understanding of early Christianity. The purpose of this article is to review the available evidence on this issue, perform a historical and medical critical analysis and suggest plausible diagnosis that have not been previously published in scientific literature. Our research on primary sources seem to indicate that in 41–42 AD Paul of Tarsus developed a clinical picture with a pain similar to that of a thorn injury and bad physical appearance. It could also have a chronic course with a limited number of relapses and few global. It could remind Job’s illness and provoke humiliation in Paul and repulse in his audience. Multiple diseases could explain some of these data, but fewer explain all of them. Though a definitive diagnosis cannot be achieved, we think that cutaneous disorders are the most obvious candidates for a humiliating and painful disease which, however, would permit long journeys during more than a decade. Disorders with cutaneous involvement like lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, urticaria/angioedema, leukocytoclastic vasculitis or nodular vasculitis should be added to other possibilities previously reported.

show abstract

Section: Differential Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Saint Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: a Dermatological Weakness?

Macaya

Lamarca

Piquero-Casals³

2022

SetF

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…My wealth ofvisions might have puffed me up, so I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to rack me and keep me from being puffed up; three times over I prayed the Lord to relieve me of it, but he told me, "It is enough for you to have my grace: it is in weakness that my power is fully felt". (2 Corinthians 12: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The first paragraph of this extract is written in part in the third person, but Paul is writing about himself.4 It might be concluded that he was writing about a wholly spiritual experience, but the account bears a close resemblance to the psychic and perceptual experience of a temporal lobe seizure, albeit of spiritual significance for Paul. We do not know whether Paul showed any abnormal physical signs.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

St Paul and temporal lobe epilepsy.

Landsborough¹

1987

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Evidence is offered to suggest a neurological origin for Paul's ecstatic visions. Paul's physical state at the time of his conversion is discussed and related to these ecstatic experiences. It is postulated that both were manifestations of temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurological disease is recorded in the Bible. Examples are grand mal seizures (Luke 9:37-42), aphasia (Luke 1:21-23, 62-65) and concussion (Acts 20:9-12). A tentative diagnosis may be made in the case of subarachnoid haemorrhage (2 Kings 4:17-37), paraplegia (Mark 2:3-12), poliomyelitis (Luke 6:6-11), cerebral palsy (Acts 3:1-8) and hysterical paralysis (Acts 9:33-35). The terrifying aspects of the psychoses (Luke 8:26-39) and of epilepsy were interpreted as manifestations of demoniacal possession. Some of the above conditions are portrayed in stained glass windows on the first floor of the National Hospital, Queen Square, London. St Paul (Paul of Tarsus), in a letter to the Church in Corinth, describes an ecstatic personal experience in which he felt "caught up to paradise", and mentions other "visions". In relation to these he writes of a "thorn in the flesh", a metaphor for an unpleasant infirmity which periodically racked him. It is postulated that Paul was subject to episodes of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) or complex partial seizures, some of which progressed to generalised convulsions. Much has been written about the nature of Paul's illness,I-10 and many theories propounded. The evidence upon which a diagnosis can be made is meagre, yet the description of his ecstatic experience is perhaps the most important index. Material In his second letter to the church in Corinth about AD 5611 Paul wrote (The Moffatt Translation of the Bible

show abstract

Blindness and the eye in mythology and religion as represented on postage stamps

Blodi

1988

Doc Ophthalmol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Blindness of Saint Paul

Cited by 7 publications

References 4 publications

Saint Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: a Dermatological Weakness?

Saint Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: a Dermatological Weakness?

St Paul and temporal lobe epilepsy.

Blindness and the eye in mythology and religion as represented on postage stamps

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About